Obit of Darlene McLuen: Darlene McLuen, of Stuart, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, April 27, 1999 at the age of 81 years, 7 months and 29 days. Marjorie Darlene was born August 29, 1917 to Coe and Ola Jane (Johnson) Thompson at Albert City, Iowa. Her father passed away when she was five years old and she and her mother and brother moved to Lompok, California. Her mother passed away there in 1933. The children then moved to Stuart to live with their grandparents and Darlene graduated from Stuart High School the following year. On September 6, 1935 she married Donald R. McLuen in Des Moines. They were blessed with three daughters. While raising the children, Darlene found time to work at Wynn's Dry Goods Store in Stuart until its closing. She also worked at Bob's Super Valu as a checker, and at the United Super Save, both of Stuart. In 1971, Darlene started Ammoo's Nursery, where she lovingly cared for many area children until her retirement in 1992. In her spare time, Darlene enjoyed sewing and crocheting, and visiting family members out of town. She was a member of the Dale City Club for many years and attended First Congregational Church in Stuart. Caring for and being with her family was Darlene's greatest enjoyment in life, however, she was known as a kind and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Darlene leaves to celebrate her life, three daughter; Carla Hillgren and her husband Al of Stuart, Diana Nelson and her husband Brian of Dunlap, Iowa, and Barbara Ploeger of Ankeny, Iowa; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a special aunt, Martha Countryman of Stuart; other relatives and many friends. She was preceeded in death by her parents, her husband, Don, and two brothers, Carroll and Keith Thompson. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all the children she cared for so many years

Stuart Herald (Stuart, Iowa), July 1986.

Ammoos Day Care Center

Local Business FeatureIn The Spotlight: Ammoos Day Care Center

One of the businesses of Stuart is the Ammoos Children's Day Care Center operated by Don and Darlene McLuen in north Stuart.

They care for around 12 children, providing extra benefits along the way. Darlene took some of the children to Bible school, ball games and swimming lessons at no cost to the parents.

The children have a choice of food the would like for their noon meals at Ammoos, and snacks are available thoughtout the day. Ammoos was a name given the center by a granddaughter who could not say grandma.

Children start arriving at the McLuen home at 6:30 a.m. and stay until late afternoon when they are picked up.

This is the 12th year the business has been in operation.

The McLuens farmed north of Stuart before moving to town. Don was on the ASCS township committee for several years. Darlene worked for Winn's Dry Goods Store and Al's Super Valu before they started the day care center.

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last September. It was an open house hosted by their three daughters, Barbara, Diana, and Carla. The McLuens have six grandchildren, and four step grandchildren. Darlene has several hobbies such as bowling, crocheting and sewing, and she has a ceramic class every Tuesday evening at the flower shop. She also plays cards. She has a crocheting project for the residents of the Community Care Center.Ancestry Link [uploaded by member KatherineALehr]